Ironhead A place to talk about Ironheads.

forks ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 25, 2008 | 01:19 PM
  #1  
fjfscooter's Avatar
fjfscooter
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default forks ?

building 73 bobber , forks are really long, want to lower to bobber forks. bought new paughco frame, 0 stretch, 35 degree rake, 16" rear tire, 21" front tire. fork tubes are 27 5/8" long. wonding what length tube i need ? stock, 2" under, or 4" under. never worked on forks before. build is on a buget and i dont want to be returning stuff left and right.any help on springs and dampners would be great to. read alot of stuff in forums but nothing that would help, might have missed to. thanks
 
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2008 | 07:12 PM
  #2  
piniongear's Avatar
piniongear
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Default RE: forks ?

You probably want standard length tubes. I suggest you get tubes that will keep the engine level There are any number of ways to set the frame up on blocks with the wheels on, level the frame, and see what the difference is between the front wheel on the ground (with the overlong tubes you have) and the air space that is between the pavement and the bottom of the rubber on the rear tire.
That difference is how much shorter you want the fork tubes to be (those that you are going to purchase)............pg
 
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2008 | 07:25 PM
  #3  
hog4u's Avatar
hog4u
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Clayton, NC
Default RE: forks ?

You didn't say but is the a hardtail frame? I would be very supprised if the forks needed to be shorter than stock.

Seems like Paughco should be able to tell you if it is a sportster frame.

Ask the Quad Cam guys at http://www.quadcambastards.com someone there has most likley done it recently.

Pat in NC


 
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2008 | 11:47 PM
  #4  
thblueboomer's Avatar
thblueboomer
Novice
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: forks ?

i would say the smart thing to do is contact the frame builder. u have one of the oldest and best names in the chopper bisness i dont think ull come up with anything they havent done 100 times and there support is 100%
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 05:34 PM
  #5  
fjfscooter's Avatar
fjfscooter
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default RE: forks ? respond

yes the frame is a rigid ( hardtail ) thanks for all the responds. i'm asuming i need a shorter than stock tube, just trying to make sure.i want the bottom tubes to stay level to the ground as possible, nice and low to the ground.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Eightball52
Softail Models
1
Mar 18, 2022 01:28 PM
rapp76
Sportster Models
11
Jan 6, 2017 01:46 AM
RadarRider
General Harley Davidson Chat
9
Jul 21, 2011 01:15 PM
JimStro16
Softail Models
2
Oct 21, 2006 01:35 AM
69sport
Ironhead
3
Sep 18, 2006 09:24 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:58 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE